I don't think these "facts" and "reality" have any effect on Mr. Wells. If Polanski himself exhibited his personal print of Rosemary's Baby for Mr. Wells in his living room at his preferred 1.85:1 aspect ratio, he would yell at him and call him a "Nazi fascist brainwashing stool pigeon".

What's especially funny is how Wells frequently rails against the fact-denying thugs of the right without realizing he's become one himself when it comes to movies. As Steve Martin says in ROXANNE, "We haven't had any irony here since 1983."

If Wells needs to vent about DVDs with incorrect AORs, he should complain about the MODs put out by MGM and Fox, especially as Warners and Sony seem to have no problem getting it right most of the time. (And yes, I do recall your post on Preminger's "Saint Joan".)

GK, will you please try to remember that some of your readers are elderly folk with wozzly tickers? I saw "Oh God No" and the Repulsion screen cap and thought Deneuve had died, for Christ's sake. Not that aspect ratios aren't important, but my deepest faith is that she'll outlive us all.

That line about ROBESPIERRE in his follow-up was total genius, though on some subliminal I have to take a modicum of credit for JW's style taking on just a SLIGHT HINT of "LexG" hyperbole in recent years.

Indeed, if it's genuine then it's a real whopper: one of the best ever 'coffeethroughmynose' moments in the blog/comments section experiences!

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RRTPolanski Author Profile Page says ....

A colleague has made me aware of the discussion under way here, and while it amuses me beyond measure, I feel under the obligation to scholars and in defence of my magnificent friends at Criterion to set the matters aright. "Rosemary's Baby" is being released by Criterion in 1.85:1 because that is the aspect ratio I directed the film to have, because that is the aspect ratio that I prefer, and because that is the aspect ratio I insisted upon. While there was protection in the filming for the possibility of inadvertent projection at 1.66:1, it was never my intention to allow such projection if I could maintain control of the circumstance of projection. This film is and will always be properly framed at 1.85:1.

And Mr. Wells, while I admire your sense of righteous fury, let me say to you that I know a little bit about fascism, and disagreeing with you is not the hallmark. However, your response to disagreement looks familiar.

Raymond Polanski from Columbus, Ohio writes: "...while it amuses me beyond measure, I feel under the obligation to scholars and in defence of my magnificent friends at Criterion to set the matters aright."